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Tokyo City at Night; the Tower & Shibuya

7-days wandering solo in summer Japan

may 28 - june 04, 2013 tuesday to tuesday

Navigating Disney ResortAfter navigating Hiroshima on day-trip only, I went to Tokyo city on my 2nd day via Osaka. My plan was to serve only Tokyo as hub for Disney Resort, Kinugawa and Hakone. I spent my time to Tokyo City after I visited those nearby parks.

Tōkyō city is the
capital of Japan. At over 12 million people in the official metropolitan
area alone, Tokyo is the core of the most populated urban area in the
world, Greater Tokyo (which has a population of 35 million people). This
huge, wealthy and fascinating metropolis brings high-tech visions of
the future side by side with glimpses of old Japan, and has something
for everyone. http://wikitravel.org/en/Tokyo

During my 1st night in Tokyo, I opted to visit Tokyo tower rather than the newly-constructed Tokyo skytree for viewing deck scenery at night. The reason is because just like the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, tourist must have a pre-purchased ticket before arriving the city due to volume of tourist entering on daily basis. Pre-purchased tickets can be availed only on their Japanese website using Japan provided credit card. Not like in Tokyo tower, a typical walk-in process.

Tokyo tower at night

Tokyo tower at night

Tokyo tower at night

Tokyo tower lookdown at night

Tokyo Tower is a
communications and observation tower located in Shiba Park, Minato. At
333 metres (1,093 ft), it is the second-tallest artificial structure in
Japan. The structure is an Eiffel Tower-inspired lattice tower (320m) that is
painted white and international orange to comply with air safety
regulations. Main observatory is at 150m high while the special observatory is at 250m high. There is lookdown window that provides an impressive view looking down from a height of 145m. At the foot town, you can find Nippon Magical Dungeon (mirror maze), Tokyo tower Wax Museum, Tower Gallery 3-3-3, Aquarium gallery and souvenir shop town.

How to go to Tokyo tower:From Tokyo JR Shinbashi station, I walked I think more than a kilometer to its main entrance. Entrance fee costs 820yen for main observatory while additional 600yen to climb for special observatory. Opening hours 0900H-2200H.

Afterwards, walking around almost a kilometer from Tokyo tower to nearest JR station (Shinbashi) going to Shibuya station where the famous Hachiko statue is located. Hachikō (1923-1935), known in Japanese as chūken Hachikō "faithful dog Hachikō", was an Akita dog remembered for his remarkable loyalty to his owner, even many years after his owner's death. His life is directed into movie on 1987 and in Hollywood on 2009.

the famous Hachiko at Hachiko exit of Shibuya Station

the famous Hachiko at Hachiko exit of Shibuya Station

Shibuya crossing

The second night on my Tokyo trip after I visited Tobu World Square in Kinugawa, I visited Harajuku area. Unfortunately its not Sunday, I did not see any cosplayers roaming around. For the young and fashionable teenager, spending time in Harajuku on the weekends is practically a necessity.